Brownsville TX vs Fayetteville NC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Brownsville, TX
Texas · Population: 188,023
- Median HH Income$48,675
- Median Home Price$196,920
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
Fayetteville, NC
North Carolina · Population: 209,692
- Median HH Income$56,395
- Median Home Price$226,710
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Brownsville
188,023
Fayetteville
209,692
Fayetteville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Brownsville
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Brownsville
30.9
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Brownsville
27.2%
Brownsville +
Fayetteville
7.6%
White
Brownsville
45.5%
Brownsville +
Fayetteville
38.3%
Black
Brownsville
0.3%
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Asian
Brownsville
0.8%
Fayetteville
3.1%
Fayetteville +
Hispanic
Brownsville
94.2%
Brownsville +
Fayetteville
13.0%
Spanish at Home
Brownsville
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 188,023 | 209,692 | Fayetteville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.9 | 30.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 27.2% | 7.6% | Brownsville + |
| White | 45.5% | 38.3% | Brownsville + |
| Black | 0.3% | 42.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 0.8% | 3.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Hispanic | 94.2% | 13.0% | Brownsville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Brownsville
$48,675
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Income
Brownsville
$21,338
Fayetteville
$31,467
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Brownsville
$63,758
Brownsville +
Fayetteville
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Brownsville
6.1%
Brownsville +
Fayetteville
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Brownsville
24.9%
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Brownsville
22.3%
Fayetteville
28.6%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,675 | $56,395 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $21,338 | $31,467 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $59,120 | Brownsville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 8.2% | Brownsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.9% | 18.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 22.3% | 28.6% | Fayetteville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Brownsville
$196,920
Brownsville +
Fayetteville
$226,710
Homeownership Rate
Brownsville
59.9%
Brownsville +
Fayetteville
46.5%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $196,920 | $226,710 | Brownsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.9% | 46.5% | Brownsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
442
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Brownsville
2339
Fayetteville
1999
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Fayetteville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
40.8%
Fayetteville
40.4%
Fayetteville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
18.7%
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Brownsville
16.7%
Brownsville +
Fayetteville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
36.5%
Fayetteville
11.9%
Fayetteville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
15.6%
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Brownsville
13.3%
Brownsville +
Fayetteville
14.9%
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.8% | 40.4% | Fayetteville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 18.7% | 12.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.7% | 18.8% | Brownsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 36.5% | 11.9% | Fayetteville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.9% | Brownsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
74.5°F
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Fayetteville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Brownsville
27.4 in
Brownsville +
Fayetteville
45.4 in
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.5°F | 61.2°F | Fayetteville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.4 in | 45.4 in | Brownsville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Brownsville
9.2 µg/m³
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Fayetteville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Brownsville
55.0%
Fayetteville
75.0%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Fayetteville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Fayetteville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Brownsville
22.2 min
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Brownsville, TX | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.2 min | 20.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $56,395, while brownsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,920. On public safety, Fayetteville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Brownsville. Brownsville has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Fayetteville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fayetteville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 40.4%.
Compare More Cities
Brownsville, TX vs New York, NYBrownsville, TX vs Los Angeles, CABrownsville, TX vs Chicago, ILBrownsville, TX vs Houston, TXBrownsville, TX vs Phoenix, AZBrownsville, TX vs Philadelphia, PA